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Module for Grade 6 Science (Interactions in the Ecosystem)

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1
 Lesson 6 – Interactions in Ecosystems

Lesson
6.1
Let’s Begin!
ENGAGE

Look at the two pictures below. Can you still remember these places that were
introduced in your Grade 5 days, particularly in the 2nd Quarter?

If you say that the left image shows an estuary, while the right one shows an
intertidal zone, you are correct! An estuary (estero) is a place formed where a river
meets the sea, while an intertidal zone (hunasan) is an area covered by water during
high tide and exposed during low tide. Both of these places are called ecosystems,
which are composed of living things (biotic factors) and non-living things (abiotic
factors), as well as their interactions with each other. Specifically, they are considered
aquatic ecosystems because they are found in bodies of water. What kind of living
and non-living things can you find in an estuary? How about in an intertidal zone?
Nevertheless, the living things you can recall interact with each other, as well as with
non-living things so they can survive.
Now, that you have recalled what you have learned about ecosystems before, this
week’s new lesson will introduce you to three other types of ecosystems, which can be
found in many places in the Philippines. These three ecosystems also have various living
things in them, as well as non-living things. Are you ready to learn? If yes, that’s great!

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 Science 6 Second Quarter – Living Things and Their Environment

Let’s Do This!
EXPLORE

Activity 6.1 – Knowing Your Ecosystems (Part 1)

Shown below are pictures of the new ecosystems you are going to learn. Guess what
ecosystems they are by arranging the jumbled words that accompany them. You can
challenge yourself to do this activity within a maximum of 2 minutes.

APIRCLTO FEINOARSET

Answer: ____________________

RCAOL SEFER

Answer: ____________________

GOMNEARV PMASW

Answer: ____________________

3
 Lesson 6 – Interactions in Ecosystems

What are your answers to the activity in the previous activity? The correct answers
to the activity are (1) TROPICAL RAINFOREST, (2) CORAL REEFS, and (3)
MANGROVE SWAMP. Do these ecosystems look familiar to you? Perhaps, do you live
near these ecosystems or do you have experiences in these places?
Tropical rainforest (tropikal nga lasang), coral reefs, and mangrove swamps
(bakhawan) are three common ecosystems that can be found in the Philippines. We,
humans, benefit in many ways from these ecosystems, as well as other living organisms.
This week’s new lesson will talk about what are these ecosystems and the interactions
among living and non-living things that can be found in them. Do your best in studying
this module and you will be able to attain our learning targets below.
By the end of this lesson, you must confidently say the following:
1. “I can describe tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and mangrove swamps.”
2. “I can identify and discuss the interactions among living things and non-
living things in tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and mangrove swamps.”

Activity 6.2 – Knowing Your Ecosystems (Part 2)

As you proceed to the lesson discussion, let’s try to check what you may have known
already about our new lesson by filling up the first two columns (K and W) of the KWL
chart below. If you happen to live near the tropical rainforest, coral reef, or mangrove
swamp, you can visit there with a parent or guardian (following COVID-19 health
protocols). Observe the surroundings and take note of the physical characteristics, living
things, and non-living things. Your observations can help you fill up the KWL chart.
Ecosystems K W L
What do I know? What do I want to What have I newly
learn? learned?
Tropical
rainforests

Coral reefs

Mangrove
swamps

After you have read the discussion of the new lesson, revisit this chart to fill up
the third column (L).

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 Science 6 Second Quarter – Living Things and Their Environment

Let’s Learn More

EXPLAIN

TROPICAL RAINFOREST
Tropical rainforests are the Earth’s oldest living ecosystems, dominated by tall,
evergreen trees. They are found in the tropics 0r areas near the equator like the
Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia. Since areas in the equator receive direct sunlight,
tropical rainforests have a high average temperature throughout the year. They are also
very wet places as they receive high amounts of rainfall every year.

Figure 1. Tropical rainforest in the Philippines.

Tropical rainforests are also the most diverse land ecosystems. They serve as a
home to more types of plant and animal life than any other land ecosystem. Tropical
rainforests have four layers, which contain different species of living organisms.
1. Emergent - the topmost layer, made up of
the tallest trees (around 130-180 feet tall).
Monkeys, eagles, and bats live in this layer.
Sunlight is plentiful here.
2. Canopy – found beneath the emergent layer,
made up of overlapping tall trees that act as a
roof for the remaining two layers. It contains
the majority of the living organisms in the
rainforest, like snakes, birds, and tree frogs.
3. Understory – consists of shrubs, vines,
young trees, and the trunks of the trees
forming the canopy. Many insects are found
here, as well as lizards, snakes, and birds. Less
sunshine reaches this layer.
Figure 2. Layers of a rainforest

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 Lesson 6 – Interactions in Ecosystems

4. Forest floor – the ground layer, it is home to large animals like wild pigs, jaguars,
and tigers. There is less plant life here as it receives the least amount of sunlight. Fallen
leaves, branches, and fruits from the tall trees can be found here.
Warm climate, sunlight, gases, soil nutrients, and water are the important abiotic
factors in tropical rainforests. Many animals depend on water and warm temperatures.
Sunlight, carbon dioxide, and soil nutrients are also essential for trees and plants.
Likewise, many animals rely on plants as their food.
The various living organisms in tropical rainforests interact to survive. Can you
still recall the beneficial and harmful interactions among living things in your Grade 4
Science? The following are the kinds of interactions in tropical rainforests.
1. Symbiosis - the close relationship between two organisms in which at least one
organism gets a benefit. For the other organism, they may also benefit, get harmed, or
stay neutral. There are three basic types of symbiosis, namely:

a. Mutualism – both organisms benefit from each

other.
Example: The bee benefits by getting nectar from
the orchid flower. In return, the orchid also
benefits as its pollen grains stick to the bee and get
carried to other flowers for pollination.

Figure 3. Bee and an orchid

b. Commensalism - one of the participating

organisms benefits while the other is unaffected.
Example: Orchids cling to a tree for support and
to reach out to sunlight. It can make its own food
with its leaves and its roots absorb moisture from
the air. On the other hand, the tree does not get any
benefit or harm.
Figure 4. Orchid and a tree.

c. Parasitism – one organism (the parasite)

benefits while the other species (the host) is
harmed.
Example: The Rafflesia, the world’s largest
flower, is a parasite to a woody vine plant, stealing
its nutrients.

Figure 5. Rafflesia flower

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 Science 6 Second Quarter – Living Things and Their Environment

2. Competition – organisms compete for the same

resources for survival. Almost every organism in
tropical rainforests compete for resources.
Examples: Monkeys compete for the fruits or
flowers they consume. Trees and plants also compete
for sunlight and nutrients.
Figure 6. Monkey eating a flower

3. Predation - a relationship in which an organism

consumes or eats another organism. The organism
that eats is the predator, while the one eaten is the
prey.
Example: An eagle eating a snake.

Figure 7. Eagle preying on a snake

Review Questions:
1. What is a tropical rainforest? What are its four different layers?
2. How do living things interact among each other in a tropical rainforest, as well
as with non-living things?
3.

CORAL REEFS
Coral reef ecosystems are underwater
ecosystems formed from the skeleton of tiny,
marine invertebrates called corals. Coral reefs
can be found in any ocean around the world,
although they are more common in the warm,
shallow waters in the tropics. The largest
coral reef is the Great Barrier Reef, which is
found in Australia. In the Philippines, we also
have the famous Tubbataha Reef in Palawan
(see page 2), which is declared as a UNESCO
Figure 8. A part of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
World Heritage site.

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 Lesson 6 – Interactions in Ecosystems

Coral reef ecosystems are also called “rainforests of the seas” as it is the most
diverse ecosystem in the world. It serves as a habitat for approximately 25% of all marine
species, which include fishes, crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms, jellyfishes, sponges,
and corals. Coral reefs are very important as they serve as breeding grounds or “nurseries”
for small, growing fishes.
There are three, types of coral reefs, namely:
1. Fringing reef – the most common type we see, located in the seashore of
continents or islands
2. Barrier reefs – instead of growing out from the shore, they are separated from
the land by an area of water called a lagoon
3. Atolls – circular reefs that enclose a lagoon

Figure 9. Types of coral reefs

Abiotic factors such as temperature, light penetration, water salinity, and water
movement (waves) influence how coral reefs are formed. Sunlight is also important to
marine plants like seagrasses and the amount of oxygen dissolved in water is also
important for marine animals. Seagrasses provide food to other marine animals like sea
turtles and manatees (dugong).
Just like in tropical rainforests, there are many interactions in coral reef ecosystems.
Below are some examples.
1. Mutualism. Did you know that coral reefs build up over the years with the help
of mutualism? Tiny plant-like organisms called algae live in the body of corals.
These algae provide carbohydrates and oxygen to the corals through
photosynthesis, while corals provide a safe environment for the algae.

2. Commensalism. A few barnacles (bangan)

grow on the shell of the turtle. As the turtle
swims, barnacles will be able to constantly get
nutrients in the water. In the process, the turtle
is not harmed.

8
 Science 6 Second Quarter – Living Things and Their Environment

3. Parasitism. Parasitic creatures (can be crustaceans

or leeches) attach to the skin of the fish.

Figure 10. External parasites in the fish.

4. Competition. Fishes in coral reefs compete for

resources like food and dissolved oxygen in the water.

Figure 11. Fishes in coral reefs.

5. Predation. Big predatory fishes like the barracuda

feed on small fishes.

Figure 12. Barracuda eating a small fish.

Review Questions:
1. What is a coral reef ecosystem? What are its three different types?
2. How do living things interact among each other in a coral reef ecosystem, as
well as with non-living things?

MANGROVE SWAMPS
Mangrove swamps are ecosystems
commonly located in coastal shores and are
dominated by trees that can live in salty water.
These trees have special adaptations in their
leaves and roots that enable them to survive the
salty environment. Many coastlines in tropical
areas around the world have mangroves,
though they are more common in Southeast
Asia. As they are found in coastal areas,
Figure 13. A mangrove ecosystem in the Philippines.

9
 Lesson 6 – Interactions in Ecosystems

mangroves act as a natural defense against erosion, flooding, and storm waves. Important
abiotic factors in mangrove ecosystems are water, climate, nutrients, sea waves, sea levels,
and soil. These factors can also affect the growth of mangrove trees. For example,
mangroves cannot grow in very cold places.
Like tropical rainforests and coral reefs, mangrove swamps are important
ecosystems are they serve as habitats for many organisms. They serve as breeding or
nesting grounds for marine animals. Fishes and crustaceans (crabs and shrimps) live
underneath the root system of mangrove trees. Likewise, organisms like mussels (tahong)
and oysters (talaba) attach to the lower parts of the mangroves. On the other hand,
migratory birds like pelicans, spoonbills, bald eagles, and white heron (tagak) inhabit the
canopy. Other animals like monitor lizard, mudskipper, and even crocodiles that can also
be found in mangrove swamps.
Just like the previous two ecosystems you have read, there are also many
interactions among living things in mangrove swamps.
1. Commensalism. Mangrove roots serve as a solid
place for oysters and barnacles to attach, thereby
giving them a habitat. Some fishes also stay, grow,
and develop in the mangroves before they become
mature. On the other hand, mangroves do not
benefit from these marine animals.

Figure 14. Oysters attached to mangrove roots.

2. Mutualism. Mangrove roots provide habitat for
crabs and mollusks. In return, these animals help
break down plant litter (fallen leaves and branches)
as they graze.

Figure 15. Mangrove crab

3. Parasitism. Mosquitoes found in mangrove

swamps may suck blood from other animals or even
from people living near mangroves.

4. Predation. A white heron prey on fishes in

mangrove swamps.

5. Competition. Migratory birds may compete for

food, such as fishes, crabs, and mollusks. Figure 16. These white herons prey on fish.

10
 Science 6 Second Quarter – Living Things and Their Environment

Review Questions:
1. What is a coral reef ecosystem? What are its three different types?
2. How do living things interact among each other in a coral reef ecosystem, as
well as with non-living things?

Let’s Summarize
✓ Tropical rainforests are the oldest ecosystems on Earth, as well as the most
diverse land ecosystem. It has a high average temperature every year, as well as
rainfall.
✓ Tropical rainforests have four layers, namely the emergent layer, canopy layer,
understory layer, and forest floor.
✓ Coral reefs are the most diverse ecosystems on Earth, thus they are called the
“rainforest of the seas.” They are formed from the skeletons of marine
invertebrates called corals.
✓ There are three kinds of coral reefs, namely fringing reef, barrier reef, and atoll.
✓ Mangrove swamps are ecosystems dominated by trees that can live in salty
water. They are commonly found on coastal shores.
✓ Many organisms inhabit tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and mangrove swamps.
They may interact with each other in many ways, which can be through
symbiosis (mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism), competition, and
predation.
✓ Abiotic factors or non-living things also play important roles in ecosystems. They
influence the growth, development, and survival of non-living things.

Were you able to learn a lot in the lesson discussion? Were there any learnings that
change what you thought about the discussed ecosystems? If yes, that’s fantastic! Now,
that you have reached the end of the lesson discussion, revisit the KWL chart on page 3 to
fill in the last column.

11
 Lesson 6 – Interactions in Ecosystems

Let’s Strengthen What You Learned

ELABORATE

Activity 6.3 – Ecosystem Inventory

Let’s try to finalize and strengthen your understanding in this lesson about the three types
of ecosystems you have learned about. Complete the table by providing the missing
information in the items. Provide two interactions for the third and fourth columns.
Challenge yourself to finish this activity within 30 minutes.
Ecosystems Description Interaction with Interaction of
Non-living Living things
things
(1) The most diverse (4) Big fishes eat the
ecosystem on Earth, it smaller fishes
is formed from the (predation). They
skeleton of tiny may also compete
marine invertebrates. with each other for
food (competition)
(2) It is commonly found (5) (6)
on coastal shores and
is dominated by trees
that can live on salty
water.
Tropical (3) Plants absorb the (7)
rainforest nutrients in the
soil. They also
strive to get limited
sunlight.

Let’s Check Your Understanding

EVALUATE

I. Write BLUE if the given statement is true, while RED if it is false.

1. Mangrove swamps are characterized by cold yearly temperature and high rainfall.
2. The most common type of coral reef found near the coastline is the fringing reef.
3. Tropical rainforests are dominated by trees that can tolerate a salty environment.
4. The majority of organisms in tropical ecosystems are found on the forest floor.
5. Coral reefs are also called “rainforests of the seas” due to their numerous
organisms.

12
 Science 6 Second Quarter – Living Things and Their Environment

II. Discuss within one to two sentences how the given living things or non-living
things interact with each other. If the interaction is between living things, specify
what kind of interaction.

1. Jaguar and tiger in a tropical rainforest

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

2. Coral and algae

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

3. Mangroves and climate

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

4. Fern growing on trees

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

5. Seagrass and sunlight

_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

Evaluate Yourself
REFLECTION

Have you learned a lot from this lesson? Let’s try to go back to our learning targets for
this lesson. In a scale of 1 to 5, how confident are you that you have accomplished our
learning targets?
1 – Not confident 3 – Neutral 5 – Very confident
2 – Slightly confident 4 – Confident
Learning Targets 1 2 3 4 5
“I can describe tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and
mangrove swamps.”
“I can identify and discuss the interactions among living
things and non-living things in tropical rainforests, coral
reefs, and mangrove swamps.”

13
 Science 6 Second Quarter – Living Things and Their Environment
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15
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 Lesson 6 – Interactions in Ecosystems

https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?c
urid=88119996

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